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Himavanta

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Thai lacquerwork painting of the Nariphon tree at Phra Pathom Chedi

The Himavanta (Thai: หิมพานต์; RTGSHimmaphan; Burmese: ဟိမဝန္တာ; MLCTS: hi.ma.wanta) is a legendary forest which surrounds the base of Mount Meru in Hindu mythology. It is said to be the home of an assortment of mythical creatures, such as Nāga, Kinnara, Apsonsi, Gilen, Zawgyi and Garuda.

The mythical Nariphon tree of Buddhist mythology, often mentioned in Thai folklore, is said to grow there.

Etymology notes

The Thai word for cashew, mamuanghimmaphan (มะม่วงหิมพานต์) literally means the mango (mamuang, มะม่วง) of Himmaphan/Himavanta.